Hastings resident, Dr. Theodore H. Koefoot, Jr., 86, of 811 Madden Rd, died Monday, November 1, 2004 at his home.
Services will be Friday, November 5, 2004; 10:00 A.M. at Butler-Volland Chapel, Hastings, Nebraska with Rev. Dr. William G. Nottage-Tacey officiating. Burial will be Friday, November 5, 2004; 3:00 P.M. in Broken Bow Cemetery, Broken Bow, Nebraska.
Dr. Koefoot was born In Broken Bow, Nebraska to Dr. Theodore Henry Sr. & Berenice (McComas) Koefoot on July 23, 1918. He was a 1936 graduate of Broken Bow High School. He graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and in 1943, he graduated from the University College of Medicine. On September 9, 1941, he married Marion Dunn in Arnold, Nebraska. Upon the completion of his internship at Presbyterian Hospital, Denver, Colorado, he served as a Captain in the United States Army Medical Corps during WWII at a medical hospital in England. At the conclusion of the war, he returned to Broken Bow and began a 30 year career as a Family Practitioner. His years in Broken Bow were dedicated to his commitment that there is nothing more important to an individual or a community than good health and health facilities. He constantly demonstrated this by giving unselfishly of his time, talents, and financial support, both civically and medically. Dr. Koefoot was a member of the Admissions Committee of the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, where he was an assistant professor of Family Practice. He was described as the 'doctor most in demand' by medical students who took their preceptorship under his guidance. He supervised and taught more than 40 students - two of whom returned to Broken Bow to practice. With the Medical Center, he co-ordinated the Medical Center's Rural Health Education program. Dr. Koefoot was an active member of the American Red Cross, a consultant for the Nebraska Heart Association, a Medical Advisor for District II of the American Cancer Society 'Reach to Recovery Program' and a director of the Broken Bow State Bank. Dr. Koefoot also was a committee member of the Elk's Crippled Children Committee, a medical consultant to the Selective Service for 25 years and a member of the Custer County Board of Mental Health. He was the assistant Custer County Coroner, National Guard Examiner, Aviation Medical Examiner, and Examining Physician and Surgeon for the Burlington & Northern Railroad. Dr. Koefoot was a charter member of the American College of Family Physicians, a member of the American Academy of Family Practice, the American Medical Association, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society at the Nebraska Medical School and President of the Custer County Medical Society. He was a founding member of the Nebraska State Obstetrical & Gynecological Society. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #148 in Broken Bow, Nebraska. After retiring from his practice in Broken Bow, he and his wife moved to Omaha, where he worked in the Emergency Department at Immanuel Medical Center. In 1985, he and Marion moved to Hastings, Nebraska, where he assumed the position of Medical Director at the Hastings Regional Center and the State Correction Center. During this time, he also worked as the Track Physician at Fonner Park. He was a member of the Tehama Temple in Hastings, Nebraska. Those of his family who share the memory of Ted, are his wife, Marion of Hastings, daughter Gretchen Vondrak and her husband, Nick of Hastings, three grandchildren and their spouses, Sarah & Gary Gernhart of Fremont, Nebraska, Nicholas & Stephanie Vondrak of Omaha, Nebraska and Suzanne & Brett Balak of Omaha, Nebraska. Three great-grandchildren, Theodore 'Teddy' & Olivia Gernhart and Isabella Balak. Two brothers and their spouses, Robert & Maxine Koefoot of Grand Island, Nebraska & Richard & Dorothy Koefoot of Rio Verde, Arizona and many nieces & nephews.
Dr. Koefoot was preceded in death by his parents, two infant sons, and a brother, Edward Koefoot.
Memorial may be given to Theodore Henry Koefoot, Jr. Endowment for Rural Medical Education
University of Nebraska Foundation
8712 W. Dodge Rd Suite #100
Omaha, NE 68114
VISITATION: Thur. 11-4-04; 9am-9pm
Fri. 11-05-04; 1 hr. prior to service